ELEVATING THE PROFESSION OF THE EDUCATOR. Ill 



and that learning would very much help to form the manners of 

 children, and to make them both wiser and better men, and therefore 

 with the leave of so great and wise a lawgiver, I cannot but think 

 that this was a defect in his institution ; because learning if it be un- 

 der the conduct of true wisdom and goodness, is not only an orna- 

 ment but a great advantage to the better government of any kingdom 

 or commonwealth." 



The original dereliction of the office has thrown the whole struc- 

 ture of teaching into confusion and what by its nature, should be con- 

 sistent with its object (that is the understanding) is distorted into the 

 uncouth and useless finery of fashionable accomplishments. To an- 

 nihilate the honour of a profession is to abolish its importance and to 

 strip it of the only legitimate inducement which can excite its mem- 

 bers. Were the office of a General no more honourable than that of 

 his soldiers, it would instantly subside to the same level and degra- 

 dation. It is the conventional authority of a law, recognized by a 

 common consent, which constitutes rank ; but the value of the edu- 

 cative office should not be merely an arbitrary assignment, else would 

 it soon decline from its sublime attitude to the plane of those nume- 

 rous and lower vocations of the arts and sciences. 



To compare great things with small " the profession of the educa- 

 tor" should resemble the dignity of Art, on which its professors look 

 with a proud veneration always aspiring to attain a name co-existent 

 with its greatness, working up through all its duties to a mutual and 

 reflex participation of its glory. 



CHAPTER III. 



THE DEGRADATION OF THE EDUCATOR.* 



The degradation of the educative profession must involve the de- 

 gradation of the educator. Between the dejection of this office and 



• Und nun Erzieher, welchen Namen du auch habest, und aus welcher 

 Gewalt und mil welchem Recht du den Dienst des Heiligthums unserer Na- 

 tur, die Sorge fur die Unschuld, die Bildung der Jugend, die Erziehung der 

 Kinder, als dein Amt, als deinen Beruf ansprechen magst, — darfst du es den- 

 ken, darfst du es ausprechen : die Art und Weise wie du dein "Werk treibst, 

 deine Methode, gehe aus der innern Wiirde der Menschennatur hervor, sie 

 nehme dieselbe ganz und rein in Anspruch, und erhebe die Kinder zur 



